Page 45 of In This Moment

“I am.” The emotion felt foreign since it had been so long since she’d experienced it.

Reaching out, he lightly tapped a finger to her nose. “You’re wrinkling it again. You do that when you’re excited or embarrassed.”

“Eh.” She covered the body part in question. “Bad poker face.”

His smile slipped to endearment, his gaze warm. “Could be worse things than honest, Rebecca.”

“Very true.” Motioning toward the library, she pivoted. “Let me show you my childhood sanctuary.”

A nod, and they climbed the porch steps. As she put the key in the lock, he placed a hand over hers to still her motion.

“Hold on a sec.”

Before she knew what hit her, he grabbed her waist, spun her around, and had her back pressed to the door. Hands in her hair, he sealed his lips to hers.

And, gosh. Last night hadn’t been a fluke. Firm, warm, and cajoling. He kissed like his personality. To the point while listening to feedback. A team player, yet demonstrating knowledge. Tender and direct. Potent.

Ah, geez. That bergamot scent of his. She would gladly drown in it.

A tingle shot through her, and she arched toward him. Heat blasted, and it wasn’t from the warm day. Never in her life had she had such a strong reaction to a kiss. Last night or now. It was as if he’d climbed inside her mind to find all her triggers. A brush of his lips. A stroke of his tongue. His hands slid down her back to rest at the curve of her spine and twitched as if he wanted to do more with them. She dug her fingers in his thick, soft hair and clutched the strands. He inhaled. Hard. Her head spun. Too much and not enough.

A groan, and he full body pressed her against the door, aligning their torsos and tangling their legs. Hard and unyielding, he trapped her. And she never wanted to be freed.

He mumbled something she didn’t understand and slid his mouth across her jaw, down her throat.

She trembled at the new assault. “Whatever you say.”

He chuckled against her skin. “Did you even hear me? I don’t think that was coherent.”

“No,” she panted, lids pinched closed. “I don’t care, though. The answer is yes.”

Smiling, he lifted his head, and they shared oxygen. “I said, I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

“What took you so long?”

He laughed, brushing a thumb across her lower lip. “Don’t know what I was thinking. Shame on me.” He let out a breath, gaze seeking hers. “Does this mean we’re dating? A couple? Together? I’m not real clear on logistics.”

She wasn’t sure, either, but she smiled. “I would like that, if you’re interested.”

“I’m definitely interested.” He paused, gaze assessing. “I think the town already believes we’re seeing one another.”

“Mmmhmm. Welcome to Vallantine, where everybody is up in your business.” The townsfolk had an uncanny way of fueling rumor to become fact or driving persuasion. “It’s not all bad.”

“I’m just not used to it.” He waved the comment away. “We haven’t discussed much by way of preferences.” He scratched his head, face contorted in thought. “Are there rules?”

The poor guy seemed more lost than her with where to go next. “Like passing Go and collecting two hundred bucks?”

“Smartass. I was thinking more along the lines of avoiding the straight to jail card.”

Monopoly references aside, she welcomed the gesture. “Why don’t we spend some time together and see where it leads. Play it by ear?” Like she’d told him before, her experience wasn’t vast with regards to relationships, but he appeared to need direction, which she could appreciate. “Exclusive, though. No one else in the mix, and we don’t let it affect work. If it doesn’t pan out, we remain civil.”

He nodded, a hint of a smile curving his lips. “Okay.”

“Ready to see the library?”

“Probably a better plan than giving the town an eyeful on the porch.” Nodding again, he stepped back. “Lead on.”

Turning the key, she pushed the door open, and giddy euphoria swamped her. How she adored this place, even if it was in shambles. Mildew and dust coated her throat as she walked to the middle of the room behind the center counter.

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